[visionlist] PhD sholarship on spiking networks computational models at Barcelona

[Xavier Otazu]

The Neurocomputation and Biological Vision Team (NeuroBiT)
(http://www.cvc.uab.es/neurobit) offer a PhD scholarship to work in a
highly multidisciplinary project which includes computational modelling
of primary visual cortex and psychophysical experimentation of colour
perception and its relationship to visual migraines.

The Research will take place at the Computer Vision Centre
(http://www.cvc.uab.es) of the Univ. Autònoma de Barcelona, which is
consistently ranked among the top Spanish Universities
(https://www.uab.cat/web/about-the-uab/the-uab/the-uab-in-the-rankings-1345667138662.html).
The centre is located in a campus outside the vibrant city of Barcelona
and has a strong tradition of multidisciplinary research in
computational colour vision with their own psychophysical laboratory,
living labs facilities and several computer clusters. The candidate
will be part of the NeuroComputation and Biological Vision Team
(NeuroBiT), a recently-formed multidisciplinary research group which
combines perceptual and computational approaches with visual
neuroscience. We offer regular meetings with other PhD students,
international contacts and the possibility of internship/cooperation
with other experimental/theoretical labs. The successful candidate is
likely to obtain several high-impact publications.

The PhD student research topic will be the development of recurrent
multilayer spiking networks to reproduce the biological architecture of
the primary visual cortex and several of its physiological properties,
aiming at reproducing the results of psychophysical studies in colour
perception and clinical studies on migraines.

The duration of the position is 3 years (36 months). We expect the
position to start before July 1st 2020 (i.e. eventual visa issues
should be solved beforehand!). The total annual stipend of the grant is
around 15.000 euros gross, which include the cost of registration fees
for the official doctorate program.

Conditions: The candidate must

   -hold a European Higher Education Area (EHEA) qualification of at
least 300 ECTS credits or a university-awarded Master degree or
equivalent in the natural sciences/engineering at the time of signing
the contract.

   - have experience in programming with Python and/or Matlab (C,
C++, Unix environment and computer cluster experience are also valued)

   - have knowledge of / interest in the human visual system, visual
perception and statistics

   - proficiency in English and (desired in) Spanish or Catalan

   - have excellent skills in analytical thinking, perceptiveness,
commitment, self-organization, teamwork, and communication.

Any previous experience in the subject of computational modelling will
also be a bonus.

How to apply:

Please send your CV and a short statement (500 words) connecting your
previous work with the topics of this grant to xotazu at cvc.uab.es and a
copy of the official academic transcript (including GPA) before
november 25th.

We encourage candidates with strong skills in programming who are
interested to work in a highly multidisciplinary project and
environment (computer science, neuroscience, psychophysics), to apply.
Candidates should have a degree in a related subject (Neuroscience,
Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, Biology, etc.).



Xavier Otazu

Senior Researcher at Computer Vision Center
Professor at Computer Science Department, Univ Autonoma de Barcelona